Background: Dehumidifier and condenser applications (where water is condensed onto a chilled surface) are common in power plants desalination plants chillers and heat exchangers. In these applications condensation can be enhanced with an alternating hydrophilic-hydrophobic pattern on the condensation surface. This patterning has been implemented using polymers self-assembled monolayers and other non-conducting materials. These approaches create chemically heterogeneous surfaces that have limited lifetimes -- due to the thickness and durability of the film. Technology Description: To address this situation researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a surface with alternating hydrophilic-hydrophobic patterning that promote dual and simultaneous modes of condensation -- filmwise and sustained dropwise condensation -- on a chemically homogenous conducting material (metal substrate) -- which is the material of choice for condenser applications. This innovation is achieved with a practical and scalable technique of surface machining or roughening based on the preferred dimensions of the pattern. The resulting chemically homogenous conductive substrate is important for maintaining a substrate with high thermal conductivity and doesn\'t add any thermal resistance that would impede the condensation heat transfer. Applications: Dehumidifier and condenser applications in power plants desalination plants chillers and heat exchangers.
1) Practical and scalable technique 2) High thermal conductivity 3) Enhanced condensation heat transfer